Doctor of Philosophy in Japanese

With more than 125 million native speakers, Japanese is the eighth most widely spoken language in the world and the national language of a world economic powerhouse. It is among the world's great languages of science, technology, and commerce. Japanese immigrants and their descendants form vibrant communities in the United States (such as in Seattle), Canada and in many other countries around the world. Japanese is also the vehicle of a literary culture spanning 13 centuries. The 11th century Tale of Genji, for example, is reckoned among the classics of world literature. In the 20th century, two Japanese writers, Yasunari Kawabata and Kenzaburô Ôe, have been awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. Acclaimed content produced in modern Japanese pop culture - including books, films, and anime - flourishes as part of a language that has been utilized by some of the world’s most imaginative and influential storytellers.

Application to the Ph.D. program is recommended for those students who have already earned an M.A. in this field or are in the process of earning one.